Bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis: the long and short of it

Joint position statement on management of patient with osteoporosis during COVID-19 contingency from the AMMOM, CONAMEGER, FELAEN, FEMECOG, FEMECOT, and ICAAFYD

Infection by SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) has affected practically all the world. This joint position statement of Latin American Medical Societies provides an updated guide for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporotic patients in the face of possible clinical scenarios posed by the COVID-19 health crisis.

BACKGROUND

Infection by SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) has affected practically all the world. Characterized by high contagiousness, significative morbidity, and mortality in a segment of those infected, it has overwhelmed health services and forced to redirect resources to the emergency while impacting the attention of acute non-COVID-19 and many chronic conditions.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to provide an updated guide for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporotic patients in the face of possible clinical scenarios posed by the COVID-19 health crisis.

METHODS

A task force, of bone specialists with a wide range of disciplines in the field of osteoporosis and fragility fracture, was convened with the representation of several professional associations, namely, the Mexican Association of Bone and Mineral Metabolism (AMMOM), the National College of Geriatric Medicine (CONAMEGER), the Latin American Federation of Endocrinology (FELAEN), the Mexican Federation of Colleges of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FEMECOG), the Mexican Federation of Colleges of Orthopedics and Traumatology (FEMECOT), and the Institute of Applied Sciences for Physical Activity and Sports of the University of Guadalajara (ICAAFYD). Clinical evidence was collated, and an evidence report was rapidly generated and disseminated. After finding the gaps in the available evidence, a consensus opinion of experts was made. The resulting draft was reviewed and modified accordingly, in 4 rounds, by the participants.

RESULTS

The task force approved the initial guidance statements, with moderate and high consensus. These were combined, resulting in the final guidance statements on the (1) evaluation of fracture risk; (2) stratification of risk priorities; (3) indications of bone density scans and lab tests; (4) initiation and continuation of pharmacologic therapy; (5) interruptions of therapy; (6) treatment of patients with incident fracture; (7) physical therapy and fall prevention; and (8) nutritional interventions.

CONCLUSION

These guidance statements are provided to promote optimal care to patients at risk for osteoporosis and fracture, during the current COVID-19 pandemic. However, given the low level of available evidence and the rapidly evolving literature, this guidance is presented as a "living document" and future updates are anticipated.

Can bone turnover markers help to define the suitability and duration of bisphosphonate drug holidays?

BACKGROUND

On stopping bisphosphonate treatment, bone resorption may increase before evidence of a decrease in bone density. Offset of bisphosphonate effect may therefore be monitored by measuring C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) following long-term bisphosphonate treatment to inform clinical decisions on drug holiday.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 158 patients (83% female, mean age 71 years) starting a drug holiday had plasma CTX measured at discontinuation (baseline), n=138 and 4 months and n=136, and 12 months (n=100). Premenopausal mean CTX levels and the least significant change (LSC) detectable were used to define target thresholds for bone turnover.

RESULTS

Following long-term bisphosphonate treatment (69% alendronic acid, 33% risedronate, mean duration 8 years SD 2.7), 32% patients had CTX above target (0.19 μg/L). In those with baseline CTX below threshold, 28% increased CTX to >0.19 μg/L and > LSC (0.06 μg/L) by 4 months (mean CTX increase 0.05 μg/L [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04-0.06; p<0.0001]) and 53% by 12 months (mean CTX increase 0.09 μg/L [95% CI: 0.07-0.10; p<0.0001]), whilst 47% had no detectable changes in CTX over 12 months.

CONCLUSION

A third of patients showed inadequate suppression of CTX at baseline, despite long-term bisphosphonate treatment. Drug holiday may not be appropriate for this group, showing a poor therapeutic response or poor adherence. For more than a quarter of patients, bisphosphonate effects were wearing off at 4 months and around half by 12 months. We suggest CTX monitoring could identify those not experiencing a sustained bisphosphonate effect, including poorly adherence to therapy, and may be used during a drug holiday to prompt recommencement of therapy.

Osteoporosis: a clinical and pharmacological update

Osteoporosis is characterized by the loss of bone mass, deterioration of the bone microarchitecture, and an increased risk of fractures; these later complications are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The asymptomatic and progressive nature of osteoporosis underscores the importance of identifying this entity in early stages. Despite the various treatments available, the prevention of the disease represents the most important aspect of management. An adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D as well as a healthy lifestyle is the basis for maintaining bone health. When osteoporosis is diagnosed, the choice of medications must be individualized considering characteristics of the patient and the risk of fractures. In this article, we review the main causes of osteoporosis, when and how to start treatment, and appropriate therapy and monitoring.

Hip fracture trends in the United States, 2002 to 2015

An analysis of United States (US) Medicare claims data from 2002 to 2015 for women aged ≥ 65 years found that age-adjusted hip fracture rates for 2013, 2014, and 2015 were higher than projected, resulting in an estimated increase of more than 11,000 hip fractures.

INTRODUCTION

Hip fractures are a major public health concern due to high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenses. Previous studies have reported a decrease in the annual incidence of hip fractures in the US beginning in 1995, coincident with the introduction of modern diagnostic tools and therapeutic agents for osteoporosis. In recent years, there has been less bone density testing and fewer prescriptions for osteoporosis treatments. The large osteoporosis treatment gap raises concern of possible adverse effects on hip fracture rates.

METHODS

We assessed hip fracture incidence in the US to determine if the previous decline in hip fracture incidence continued. Using 2002 to 2015 Medicare Part A and Part B claims for women ≥ 65 years old, we calculated age-adjusted hip fracture rates, weighting to the 2014 population.

RESULTS

We found that hip fracture rates declined each year from 2002 to 2012 and then plateaued at levels higher than projected for years 2013, 2014, and 2015.

CONCLUSIONS

The plateau in age-adjusted hip fracture incidence rate resulted in more than 11,000 additional estimated hip fractures over the time periods 2013, 2014, and 2015. We recommend further study to assess all factors contributing to this remarkable change in hip fracture rate and to develop strategies to reduce the osteoporosis treatment gap.

Assessing the feasibility of the Effectiveness of Discontinuing Bisphosphonates trial: a pilot study

The Effectiveness of Discontinuing Bisphosphonates (EDGE) study is a planned pragmatic clinical trial to guide "drug holiday" clinical decision making. This pilot study assessed work flow and feasibility of such a study. While participant recruitment and treatment adherence were suboptimal, administrative procedures were generally feasible and minimally disrupted clinic flow.

INTRODUCTION

The comparative effectiveness of continuing or discontinuing long-term alendronate (ALN) on fractures is unknown. A large pragmatic ALN discontinuation study has potential to answer this question.

METHODS

We conducted a 6-month pilot study of the planned the EDGE study among current long-term ALN users (women aged ≥65 with ≥3 years of ALN use) to determine study work flow and feasibility including evaluating the administrative aspects of trial conduct (e.g., time to contract, institutional review board (IRB) approval), assessing rates of site and participant recruitment, and evaluating post-randomization outcomes, including adherence, bisphosphonate-associated adverse events, and participant and site satisfaction. We assessed outcomes 1 and 6 months after randomization.

RESULTS

Nine sites participated, including seven community-based medical practices and two academic medical centers. On average (SD), contract execution took 3.4 (2.3) months and IRB approval took 13.9 (4.1) days. Sites recruited 27 participants (13 to continue ALN and 14 to discontinue ALN). Over follow-up, 22% of participants did not adhere to their randomization assignment: 30.8% in the continuation arm and 14.3% in the discontinuation arm. No fractures or adverse events were reported. Sites reported no issues regarding work flow, and participants were highly satisfied with the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Administrative procedures of the EDGE study were generally feasible, with minimal disruption to clinic flow. In this convenience sample, participant recruitment was suboptimal across most practice sites. Accounting for low treatment arm adherence, a comprehensive recruitment approach will be needed to effectively achieve the scientific goals of the EDGE study.

What are we paying for? A cost-effectiveness analysis of patented denosumab and generic alendronate for postmenopausal osteoporotic women in Australia

OBJECTIVE

Zoledronic acid and denosumab were funded by the Australian government for the management of osteoporosis at an equivalent price to alendronate. The price of alendronate has declined by around 65 %, but the price of the other two therapies has remained stable. Using data published since the listing, this paper reports current estimates of the value of denosumab compared to alendronate from an Australian health system perspective.

METHODS

A cohort-based state transition model was developed that predicted changes in bone mineral density (BMD), and calibrated fracture probabilities as a function of BMD, age and previous fracture to estimate differences in costs and QALYs gained over a 10-year time horizon.

RESULTS

The base-case incremental cost per QALY gained for denosumab versus alendronate was $246,749. There is a near zero probability that denosumab is cost-effective at a threshold value of $100,000 per QALY gained. If the price of denosumab was reduced by 50 %, the incremental cost per QALY gained falls to $50,068.

DISCUSSION

Current Australian legislation precludes price reviews when comparator therapies come off patent. The presented analysis illustrates a review process, incorporating clinical data collected since the original submission to inform a price at which denosumab would provide value for money.

Treatments for post-menopausal osteoporotic women, what's new? How can we manage long-term treatment?

Since the mid-1980s, postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) has been considered a serious public health concern because of the associated fractures. Pharmacological therapies that effectively reduce the number of fractures by improving bone mass have been and are being developed continuously. Most current agents inhibit bone loss by reducing bone resorption, but emerging therapies may increase bone mass by stimulating bone formation. Furthermore, nowadays, the most representative pharmaceuticals have been prescribed long enough to include the reporting of some adverse effects. This review discusses osteoporotic drugs that are approved or are under investigation for the treatment of post-menopausal women (PMW), paying particular attention to long-term treatments.

Bisphosphonate Treatment in Osteoporosis: Optimal Duration of Therapy and the Incorporation of a Drug Holiday

BACKGROUND

Bisphosphonates are the most widely used treatment for osteoporosis. They accumulate in the bone for years, and therefore, their inhibitory effects on osteoclasts may persist after drug discontinuation. The ideal duration of therapy remains controversial.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

The purpose of this study is to review the literature to determine the (1) indications for drug holiday, (2) the duration of drug holiday, (3) the evaluation during drug holiday, and (4) the proper treatment and maintenance after drug holiday.

METHODS

A review of two electronic databases (PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE) was conducted using the term "(Drug holiday)," in January 29, 2015. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) clinical trials and case control, (2) human studies, (3) published in a peer-review journal, and (4) written in English. Exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) case reports, (2) case series, and (3) in vitro studies.

RESULTS

The literature supports a therapeutic pause after 3-5 years of bisphosphonate treatment in patients with minor bone deficiencies and no recent fragility fracture (low risk) and in patients with moderate bone deficiencies and/or recent fragility fracture (moderate risk). In these patients, a bone health reevaluation is recommended every 1-3 years. Patients with high fracture risk should be maintained on bisphosphonate therapy without drug holiday.

CONCLUSION

The duration and length of drug holiday should be individualized for each patient. Evaluation should be based on serial bone mass measurements, bone turnover rates, and fracture history evaluation. If after drug therapy, assessments show an increased risk of fracture, the patient may benefit from initiating another treatment. Raloxifene, teriparatide, or denosumab are available options.

The use of bisphosphonates in women: when to use and when to stop

INTRODUCTION

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are the most commonly used drugs in osteoporosis.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on the criteria for identifying patients who should be treated with BPs and also the rational for the duration of treatment.

EXPERT OPINION

BPs remain the mainstay for the treatment of osteoporosis. For their low cost, the treatment threshold is related exclusively to the ratio between expected benefits and the risk of side effects. This is the case of patients with prior fragility fracture or with low bone density and the presence of other relevant risk factors. The treatment should continue for 3 - 5 years or until fracture risk is no longer high. Afterward a treatment holiday should be considered on the light of the increasing risk of side effects but its duration is still controversial. The duration of this treatment holiday depends on the drug used. Discontinuation of risedronate and ibandronate is associated with the quick loss of the acquired benefits and with these two BPs discontinuation should not exceed 6 months. Alendronate and zoledronate are characterized by a persistent effect after discontinuing treatment and this would allow a more prolonged drug holiday.

The effects of the Korean reference value on the prevalence of osteoporosis and the prediction of fracture risk

Background

Since the reference value is the core factor of the T-score calculation, it has a significant impact on the prevalence of osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of using the Korean reference value on the prevalence of osteoporosis and on the prediction of fracture risk.

Methods

We used femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008–2011. The Korean reference was identified by the mean and standard deviation of men and women aged 20–29 years. We compared the prevalence and the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX™) probability obtained from the Korean reference and the NHANES III reference.

Results

In men, the prevalence of osteoporosis increased when using the Korean men’s reference, and the difference increased up to 9% for those in their 80s. In women, the prevalence increased when using the NHANES III reference, and the difference increased up to 17% for those in their 80s. The reference value also affected the fracture risk probability, and the difference from changing the reference value increased in women and in subjects with more clinical fracture risk factors. In major osteoporotic fractures, the difference of the risk probability was up to 6% in women aged 70–79 years with two clinical risk factors. For femoral neck fractures, the difference was up to 7% in women aged 50–59 years with two clinical risk factors.

Conclusions

We confirmed that the reference value had significant effects on the prevalence of osteoporosis and on the fracture risk probability. The KNHANES 2008–2011 BMD data reflected the characteristics of the Korean BMD status well with regard to data size and study design; therefore, these data can be used as reference values.

A model of BMD changes after alendronate discontinuation to guide postalendronate BMD monitoring

CONTEXT

Women stopping alendronate are commonly monitored with serial bone mineral density (BMD) measurements, yet no information exists on how frequently or for whom these measurements should be performed.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to develop a tool to guide post-alendronate BMD monitoring.

DESIGN

A predictive model was constructed to estimate the time until a given percentage of women's BMD T-scores drop below a given threshold that indicates a management change (such as retreatment) would be considered. This model was then used to estimate the time it would take for groups of women defined by their baseline BMDs to drop below the given threshold.

SETTING

Data were derived from the Fracture Intervention Trial Long Term Extension (FLEX), the largest multicenter clinical trial of its type to date.

PARTICIPANTS

Four hundred four women who had received an average of 5.1 years of alendronate during the Fracture Intervention Trial and were subsequently observed for 5 treatment-free years (on placebo) during the FLEX trial were used to estimate the change in BMD over time.

RESULTS

If a management change such as alendronate reinitiation would be considered when BMD T-score drops below -2.5, the model shows that women with total hip BMD greater than -1.9 T-scores at the time of alendronate discontinuation have less than a 20% probability that at follow-up, monitoring BMD will be below the threshold within 5 years. The model performed similarly, and results are provided over a range of management change thresholds from -1.75 to -3 T-scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the tool developed in this analysis, it is possible to estimate when BMD repeat measurement after alendronate discontinuation could potentially be useful. Measuring BMD within 5 years after alendronate discontinuation is unlikely to change management for women with total hip BMD 0.6 T-scores above a prespecified retreatment threshold within the range of -1.75 to -3 T-scores.

Use of drug holidays in women taking bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are the cornerstone of treatment for osteoporosis. These agents are generally safe and well-tolerated, but concerns have emerged about adverse effects related to long-term use, namely osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femur fractures. For most patients at moderate or high risk of fracture, the benefits of treatment far outweigh these serious but rare risks. Bisphosphonates accumulate in bone with some persistent protective effect after therapy is stopped, making it is reasonable to consider a "drug holiday." The duration of therapy and the length of the holiday should be based on clinical judgment.

Delayed/non-union of upper limb fractures with bisphosphonates: systematic review and recommendations

BACKGROUND

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are widely used for the treatment of osteoporosis. Oversuppression of bone turnover with BPs may paradoxically limit the reserve capacity of bone to heal. The aim of this review was to study the predisposition of some patients to delayed/non-union of upper limb fractures associated with BPs and give recommendations on how they should be treated.

METHODS

A systematic search of two electronic databases was conducted to identify relevant studies for inclusion. All relevant studies found were included and assessed through methodology criteria predetermined by two independent reviewers.

RESULTS

Six papers comprising of three case reports, one nested case control study, one restrospective review and one randomized clinical trial were used. In comparative studies of pre-fracture BP use, a 6-day delay in average healing times was reported among BP users. There was no elevation in risk of non-union. Post-fracture BP use was associated with an approximate doubling of the risk of non-union. Timing of BP therapy initiation following a fracture was not associated with a difference in healing times. An atypical ulna fracture treated conservatively resulted in non-union, there was no effect of type of surgical treatment on distal radius fracture healing and there was insufficient evidence to comment on humeral fracture treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in union time between BP users and non-users are not significant enough to change current practice patterns and do not outweigh the benefits of BP therapy. There is no evidence to encourage early surgical management of BP-related upper limb fractures.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study is to provide a thorough updated review of the diagnosis and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

There have been several important findings in the field of postmenopausal osteoporosis over the past 1-2 years. Fewer morphometric vertebral fractures were found in women treated for 6 years with zoledronic acid compared with those who stopped treatment after 3 years. Longer duration of bisphosphonate therapy is associated with a higher risk of atypical femur fractures. Combination therapy with teriparatide and denosumab appears to increase bone mineral density to a greater extent than either therapy alone in postmenopausal women at high risk for fracture. There are several novel therapies under investigation for the treatment of osteoporosis, which are in various stages of development. Nonadherence to osteoporosis therapies continues to be a major problem in clinical practice.

SUMMARY

There are numerous effective pharmacologic treatment options for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Bisphosphonate drug holidays continue to be an area of significant debate.

Osteonecrosis of the jaws in patients assuming oral bisphosphonates for osteoporosis: a retrospective multi-hospital-based study of 87 Italian cases

BACKGROUND

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are currently the chief drugs for the prevention/treatment of osteoporosis; one of their adverse effects is the osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). The primary endpoints of this multi-center cross-sectional study are: i) an observation of the clinical features of BRONJ in 87 osteoporotic, non-cancer patients; and ii) an evaluation of their demographic variables and comorbidities.

METHODS

87 BRONJ patients in therapy for osteoporosis with BPs from 8 participating clinical Italian centers were consecutively identified and studied. After BRONJ diagnosis and staging, comorbidities and data relating to local and drug-related risk factors for BRONJ were collected.

RESULTS

77/87 (88.5%) patients in our sample used alendronate as a BP type; the duration of bisphosphonate therapy ranged from 2 to 200 months, and 51.7% of patients were in treatment for ≤ 38 months (median value). No comorbidities or local risk factors were observed in 17 (19.5%) patients, indicating the absence of cases belonging to BRONJ forms triggered by surgery. BRONJ localization was significantly associated with age: an increased risk of mandible localization (p=0.002; OR=6.36, 95%CI=[1.89; 21.54]) was observed for those over 72 yrs. At multivariate analysis, the increased risk of BRONJ in the mandible for people over 72 yrs (OR'=6.87, 95%CI=[2.13; 2.21]) was confirmed for a BP administration >56 months (OR'=4.82, 95%CI=[2.13; 22.21]).

CONCLUSION

Our study confirms the fundamental necessity of applying protocols of prevention in order to reduce the incidence of BRONJ in osteoporotic, non-cancer patients in the presence of comorbidities and/or local risk factor as well as, less frequently, in their absence.

Bisphosphonate drug holiday: who, when and how long

Bisphosphonates have been widely used in the treatment of osteoporosis with robust data from numerous placebo-controlled trials demonstrating efficacy in fracture risk reduction over 3-5 years of treatment. Although bisphosphonates are generally safe and well tolerated, concerns have emerged about adverse effects related to long-term use. For most patients with osteoporosis, the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks. Because these agents accumulate in bone with some persistent antifracture efficacy after therapy is stopped, it is reasonable to consider a 'drug holiday.' There is considerable controversy regarding the optimal duration of therapy and the length of the holiday, both of which should be based on individual assessments of risk and benefit.

Evolution and etiopathogenesis of bisphosphonates induced osteonecrosis of the jaw

Bisphosphonates (BPs) is widely used as the first line of treatment choice for osteoporosis, Paget’s disease of bone, bone cancer metastasis and hypercalcemia of malignancy. BPs induced osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a relatively rare but severe clinical condition cited in English literature since 2003 while exact pathogenesis of BPs induced ONJ is not known until today, but numerous hypotheses were described in recent literature that promote and interlinked the development of BPs induced ONJ. These hypotheses indicate multifactorial nature of its development and factors responsible for that are; long term administration of intravenous nitrogen containing BPs in cancer patients, biological behavior of jaw, antiangiogenic property of BPs and by soft-tissue toxicity etc., All these factors are compounded by the presence of infection that are responsible for lower the pH of the oral cavity, other drugs like administration of corticosteroid, pathologies that cause hypo-calcification of bone, compromised immune response that alters normal healing such as renal transplantation followed by long term oral BPs therapy or chronic diabetic patients receiving BPs therapy and any dentoalveolar trauma. All literature in this review article is search from PubMed, Med-know and Google search engines.

Eleven years of experience with bisphosphonate plus alfacalcidol treatment in a man with osteogenesis imperfecta type I

We report the 11-year follow-up of a man with osteogenesis imperfecta type I who was treated with bisphosphonates and alfacalcidol. A 36-year-old Japanese man with osteogenesis imperfecta type I who had frequently experienced painful fragility fractures consulted our clinic because of chronic back pain. The patient had multiple morphometric vertebral fractures and a low bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine. The patient was treated with cyclical etidronate 200 mg, for 2 weeks every 3 months, plus alfacalcidol 1 μg daily, for 2 years; and alendronate 5 mg daily or 35 mg weekly, plus alfacalcidol 1 μg daily for 9 years. After 11 years of treatment, BMD at the lumbar spine increased by 6.4%, following a 20.3% reduction in serum alkaline phosphatase. Serum calcium, phosphorus, and intact parathyroid hormone levels remained within the normal ranges. Three clinical fractures occurred at two ribs and the metacarpus, and two morphometric vertebral fractures occurred at the thoracic spine during the 11-year treatment period, but the patient experienced no adverse effects. Thus, the present case report shows the long-term outcome and safety of bisphosphonate plus alfacalcidol treatment in a man with osteogenesis imperfecta type I.

Bisphosphonates in the treatment of osteoporosis

Bisphosphonates are widely used in the treatment of osteoporosis to reduce fracture risk. Because of their long retention time in bone and uncommon side effects, questions have been raised about the optimal duration of therapy. Potential side effects appear to be rare and may not be causally related. Although there is no strong science to guide "drug holidays," there appears to be some lingering antifracture benefit when treatment is stopped, so some time off treatment should be offered to most patients on long-term bisphosphonate therapy. For most patients with osteoporosis, the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.